Richland, Wash.—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright launched a new chapter to secure American leadership in autonomous biological discovery yesterday alongside scientists and private partners at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). As part of his visit to PNNL, Secretary Wright commissioned and signed the Anaerobic Microbial Phenotyping Platform (AMP2). PNNL scientists believe AMP2 will be the world’s largest autonomous-capable science system for anaerobic microbial experimentation. The platform supports the Trump Administration’s recently announced Genesis Mission, which calls on the Department of Energy (DOE) to transform American leadership in science and innovation with the development of artificial intelligence (AI).
Built by Gingko Bioworks, AMP2 gives DOE scientists an unprecedented capability to explore the world of microbes—an invisible yet powerful workforce poised to boost biotech manufacturing as well as provide insights into basic life science questions. This first-of-its-kind capability will transform how the U.S. identifies, grows, and optimizes the use of microbes in days and weeks instead of years using automation and AI.
“President Trump launched the Genesis Mission to ensure American leadership in science and innovation,” said Secretary Chris Wright. “This ongoing public-private partnership at PNNL will help do exactly that in the field of biotechnology. By launching AI-enabled, autonomous platforms like AMP2, our DOE National Laboratories are driving scientific breakthroughs faster than ever before and ensuring the United States leads the world in technologies that will better human lives and secure our future.”
The AMP2 platform will serve as a prototype for DOE’s planned development of the larger Microbial Molecular Phenotyping Capability (M2PC). Together, the systems will establish the world’s largest autonomous microbial research infrastructure, and position the U.S. to lead in biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and next-generation materials innovation for decades to come.
Secretary Wright visited PNNL as part of his ongoing tour of all 17 DOE National Laboratories. PNNL marks his 16th stop. Secretary Wright was also joined by Jason Kelly, CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks and PNNL director Deb Gracio.
“The official launch of AMP2 marks a milestone in maintaining our nation’s global leadership in biotechnology innovation,” said PNNL Director Deb Gracio. “Together with DOE and Ginkgo Bioworks, we are bringing the vision of high-throughput, AI-enabled science to life and empowering researchers to accelerate discoveries that unlock the boundless potential of microbial science.”
“Secretary Wright and the DOE have moved quickly on the first steps of President Trump’s Genesis Mission today with the creation of two autonomous labs that together will be the world’s largest,” said Jason Kelly, Founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks. “Artificial intelligence paired with robotic laboratories led by our nation’s scientists will ensure the United States wins the race in science and for the bioeconomy versus our adversaries. Ginkgo is proud to play a part in the President’s effort that could be as important as the Manhattan and Apollo projects in securing US leadership of the future.”
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